As a social worker in California, Lisa Roenfeldt experienced the joy of seeing needy children receive new gifts and toys. Now a Falcon resident and an educational consultant for Discovery Toys, Roenfeldt wants to spread the joy of giving through a toy drive supporting the Marine Corps Toys for Tots.”This is about getting toys into the hands of kids who need them,” Roenfeldt said.With the toy drive, which is in its second year, Roenfeldt hopes to triple the amount of donations to 75 toys. Guests may purchase gifts to directly donate to the toy drive or purchase gifts for children on their Christmas shopping lists. Roenfeldt said she will donate her commission and additional benefits, which equal 30 percent of total sales from the toy drive, to purchase more toys for the Marine Corps program.”This event is a great way to get your Christmas shopping done and give back to kids who are less fortunate. If you have kids in your lives, you’ll be needing to purchase toys for them,” Roenfeldt said. “Why not let your money go further, since every purchase, donation or not, contributes to the Toys for Tots toy drive.”Other Falcon businesses are pitching in to help make the toy drive a success. Roenfeldt said Memories Kept Photography, Oasis Salon and Spa and Mr. Biggs donated door prizes for the event. Poblano’s Family Mexican Restaurant is supplying the banquet room and offering coupons to guests for a “buy one entrÈe; get a second entrÈe half off.”Roenfeldt became a Discovery Toy consultant shortly after her son was born. “I was looking for something to do and get me out of the house a little bit,” she said. “I needed something to get behind.”The educational, hands-on nature of Discovery Toys won her over. “They are leaps and bounds over a video game or TV program,” she said.Because Discovery Toys and the Marines have a working relationship, Roenfeldt chose to align her toy drive with Toys for Tots, which has been distributing toys to needy children since 1947.”Over the years, Marines have distributed over 386 million toys to more than 181 million needy children,” said Sgt. Nathan Roberts, Denver area Tots for Toys coordinator.Roberts said donations received in Colorado Springs and surrounding areas will be collected at the Englewood, Colo., site and distributed throughout the region. The Marines will accept new, unwrapped toys or monetary donations through Dec. 16.Despite tough economic times, Roenfeldt expects the toy drive will be a success. She said $10 to $15 is enough to donate a toy. “It’s not that much,” she said. “Save your lattes for a week and think of the smile when the child receives his toy.”Event details: Discovery Toys Marine Corps Toys for Tots, Nov. 8, 1 to 4 p.m. at Poblano’s Mexican Restaurant, 7336 McLaughlin Road in Falcon.
